[42 Cookies] Good Bye 2013

Is id over YET!

Yes, that is how I feel about 2013. I have no luck with years ending in 3. I end the year with not real job, my etsy store is down till Jan. 2, where I have plans on re-opening and hope to have some super cool items up, key chains and plushies in the new future. I am still on the books for my holiday job but get 0 hours. ;_; So new year will be job hunting. I am living somewhere where I don't want to be but have little chose of the mater. And also, getting really sick of people telling me I need to go see someone. I'm not broken, I'm just not accepted by the society that is around me and its draining.

But here are to better hopes for the future. I plan an placing Katherine designs and story snippets up, Keep doing Frills and Grace and screw the publishing world, I'm going to post the Space Adventure 101 story right here to this blog. So keep reading and watching for lets hope 2014, I can move forward.

[42 Cookies] Keep Yourself in Mind

I have participated in the cosplay community scene about 2005. Being popular in the community was always an underline want for any cosplayer. What kind of fame, differed from person to person. If you post a profile of yourself on any cosplay community, you are seeking some sort of acknowledgment from someone, weather its just for finding fellow crafting cosplayers, fellow fans from a series/show from what your cosplaying from or just seeking attention after getting nothing from the real world.  Because of how technology is growing and how much easier it is to be on the web and how many easy social media's there are far more people who are grasping onto cosplaying because it can acquire fame very quickly but quick fame has very nasty back lash.  Before I go farther, I don't want to disuse about "so- and-so", or "look at my views/repost/retweet" or "hey, guess who I am going to do/or have a photoshot with?".

What I would like you to do is just stand back.

And understand one thing the cosplay community doesn't want, rudeness. Please stand back and look at what you are doing in the community. If you are simply trying to get to the top, understand you have to have someone to stand on. Some of these people don't mind and you aren't going to have to be rude, snotty, or selfish for someone to reach out and help you out. But when you are rude, snotty and ignorant about others, if you ever get out of your own selfishness and look around you, you will soon find people aren't going to be there. And there is no reason for them to be there.

I wish I knew a way way to stop the bulling, the trolls, the flamers, the stalkers and just the shit that is coming to the community from the outside and from the inside. But there isn't really a simple answer.

Be realize at the end of the day, the greatest cosplay you can dawn, 

is being yourself.

[By the Window] Sofia the First

Yes, I do have an addiction to children shows and the more cute and fluffy, the better. I will say I am totally in love with Sofia the first. The characters are fun, ALL OF THEM! I love the whole royal and newly royal family. The critters are fun and have good characters and most of all, the art is pretty. It kills me some time when all I get is blah art out of a kids show. Yes, there is a mat feeling on some of the background buts its perfect as its more children illustration looking. Yes, there are cheese song included but they are song well and so enjoyed (and short so not mind killing.) I am looking forward to what ever I'm able to watch from this show. Sadly not a lot as I don't have Disney Junior, and pretty broke so only can afford to buy an episode or two at a time. No, I'm not totally heartbroken to pay for an episode or two. Because no mater how you try to convince me its just going to the Big corporate family of disney, it still give an artist a job.

Also, I want to make all the dresses. Sofia's, Amber's and Sofia's mom. All so fun and pretty. But I don't have the budget so enjoy some animal crossing designs instead.

Only thing I wasn't 100% into the Cinderella's re-design. Yes, its now shiner but the hair style seems a little messy and I don't like drop waste corset look (no mater how popular people make it.)

Maybe I'll design a Sofia inspired Frills and Grace style dress. Tell next time, stay cute and classy.

Cosplay Crafting Tips

I had a friend recently ask about some basic starting advice about making her own cosplay costumes.

Those who are unfamilar with cosplay might wounder what is the difference between a costume and a cosplay. I want to cover this, as I see it, as it good to know when you are just tipping your toes into cosplay.

Cosplay is normally (not always) worn more then say, you store halloween costume. That cheap halloween costume you picked up for $30-50 is most likely only going to be warn once, maybe twice. It is made quickly, its usally a fad and won't make it threw the wash. If you really placed you heart and time into cosplay, its going to be worn a few times, if not, recycled into other costumes. (that the smart idea)

It coast more. Costumes usually allow you to use your own hair, shoes out of the closet, and your eye color is ok. Cosplayers want to look like there characters and we usually don't look very much like them. Even less if its based off. So there are wigs (good and bad) contacts, make-up, accessories, and shoes. Set a budget...you will sadly 90% of the time over shoot your budget but try all the same.

Before I get any further, let me please make a plea here and now, keep it fun. If it starts to get you into trouble STOP. Its ok to take breaks.

Ok, now to some crafting tips.

1) Pick a character and research the crap out of it. Better yet, buy something that supports the creator of the character. You don't have to buy ever figure, art, manga, book, but be polite and buy one thing to help show you liked a creators work.

2) Realize the three keys in your progress Time, Skill and Money. -Katie Bair Concept that was great- Understand you will not have a lot of any one thing. A little more of one or another will help out. I really say give yourself more time if you don't have a lot of money. But if you rush, the coast will go up. If you will to give yourself time, you can work your your skill. But you want to rush job for a convention, its going to coast.

3) Ladder up your costumes. Sure, you could go for the big bang costume right off the bat, but won't be a good as you hopped. I started simple myself and worked off.
    Good Starter - Altering store bought cloths. This will also help who you how things are constructed. Go to a second hand shop or clearance bin in Walmart or Target. When doing animation costume, they don't have a lot of detail so you want basic cloths.
    Runner Up- For Anime, School uniforms are usually simple. For live action stuff, Renaissance fair low class costume (other words, being the queen or king is more third level.
   Then you will work on from there. Ether small props, getting into dresses and so forth.

Tip: Most cosplayers LOVE to show and tell off there work. Just don't expect a quick answer as cosplay is not a life, and they have jobs that must pay the bills.

Tips on Sewing
   Go to a local fabric store and see if they have a basic sewing class. I have only ever taken a basic sewing class in junior high. The rest of my Knowledge has come from the awesome book, DK The Sewing Book by Alison Smith. (witch my library had and was able to use till I bought my own copy) And always measure twice and maybe three times.

Tools
   Sew Machine. I like buying new as when I have gotten a second there was usually a problem with it and it never good away. I have a middle grade sewing machine but bought it after a few years of sewing. If you take care of you machine and only want to work on a few projects a year, Target, Walmart, or JoAnns. I bought mind at a shop that deals more when selling machines and their up keep. But a machine is usually only needed when you get to the second round.


Again, love the craft. Understand that is a hobby. (I don't believe a professional cosplayers, its an oxy-moron. If you are paid, you are simply an entertainer)

I hope this helps a little. There is a lot of information out there to help. Best of Luck.

[42 Cookies] Job-less

I am not completely jobless but what I have is making it VERY hard. Makin' a job for an artist is hard. Its a lot of work and for a long time, I will have a hard time making things work. I really don't want to get into details. But I am spreading myself out.

But lets get onto the good stuff.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/frillsandgrace I have a small shop going on Etsy. I've been told for some time to do this and I final got off my butt and I'm doing it.  It will be some time before I have a good stock up but I really love people to just visit right now.

Also, have a good plan for next month. I will be doing themes every month. This will include By window post, frills and grace post and what I stock on my etsy. Its going to be fun.

Catch you all later.

[frills and grace] a very good read

This book is awesome I highly recommend any one to read that has any care for fashion.

The Hundred Dresses

  The most iconic styles of our time

By Erin McKean

I loved how it describes the dresses. Where it came from and what type of people where it. I fully enjoyed the Lolita description because I know how hard it is to describe the fashion with out dealing with the the meaning of the French rearm for the word. As soon as I have a job, I must have my own copy. I was heart broken to have to give it back to the library but knew it needed to be shared. 

Now back to cleaning and unpacking. I hate moving.

[Frills and Grace] Hobbit fashion pt. 2

Well, at least I only waited a week. Here are three more "hobbit" inspired Animal Crossing outfits. Enjoy.

Bilbo Meets up with Gandof.

Fan Ring shirt.

Based off P.Jackson's first hobbit blog.

If I had the "making of" book I'd do dwarf and elf stuff but I don't have it...

at this time.

[Frills and grace] Hobbit Style part 1

Even if I lost my sewing machine cord this will not stop me from making dresses. I am just going to make them for animal crossing. It's cheaper in the long run.

Blue Bell Hobbit Dress

Red town dress

Green Door Dress

Part two will come shortly and be shirts. Enjoy.

[Frills and Grace] Magazine rack

To start getting into a fashion is always good to check the magazines that are out there. Sadly US magazines haven't impressed me in that fashion department. Here is why...

1.I don't care for the model look. They are almost always to skinny. It's just unreal and unhealthy. I loved as a kid one of my friends bought me a Barbie comic and one of the stories covered how a friend was starving herself to get model pretty. The friend then spent a day with Barbie and saw that Barbie eat right and worked out to keep healthy. By doing this Barbie was able to keep an active life and worked well as a model. At the end a photographer goes up to the starving friend and says if she gain a few pounds that she would work. In short, I was to see average girls display their fashion love.  

2. All I get are product adds. Yes I want to see product but when it's 75% of the magazine I feel that the magazine should have paid me to read the magazine.

3. Let me state I don't mind the story articles. It's nice to read a well written price and feel I am not being spoon feed with dribble gossip. Keep the gossip to the tabloids.

4. Last, scrap book fashion. You know where they show the clothing and accessories just laying down, not on a body. It's looks lazy and really doesn't do the clothing any favor as you just slabbed down  some fabric and beads on the floor. 

So for us market magazines I pick up maybe two a year and I found more fashion in a strawberry shortcake magazine then a vogue that I liked.

So in turn I picked up some Japanese magazine.  By the way they have a ton of different magazines for fashion and they all cover different styles. The ones I have picked us so far and love are Kera, gothic Lolita bible and Cutie. Here are some key notes of what I love.

1. Models mostly wear what they love. 

2. Street snaps, adore. Your not getting just one brand on a body but mix and match and working out something that works. Also giving credit to those who are in the fashion and supporting it.

3. Free product goodies. You might discard the magazine in a few weeks but they give something with it. (Usable bags, body spray etc. )

4. I don't understand kanji so I can't say much about the articles but they are there is just the right amount too.

5. Make up and hair tutorials and awesome. I don't understand kanji but there are enough step by step photos and photos of the products they use I understand.

So there is a magazine review. I have very little budget for fashion but I will support what I like and so will buy the Japanese magazines when I can. Also have the Tokyo fashion app and kawaii magazine app on my iPod and they are good. I've only used the vogue app like twice and when I have a want to look at runway fashion sure but most of the time not into runway stuff.

[By the Window] Good Distraction

So right in the middle of reading Wizard of Oz. Loving it but I am greatly distracted by a new purchaser. Animal Crossing: new leaf. It lets me design stuff and then SHARE it. So here is my Dorathy inspired dress. I'm thinking of doing all the classic book characters.

[By the window] summer reading list

Everyone should try and make a summer reading list. I know, I sound like some teacher or writer and in a little way I am. 

Truth be I had a hard time getting into reading and thank goodness I had loving English teachers that didn't demand that we read from a certain list of books. They did have a list of books they wouldn't take credit but for the most part we where free to read what we want. This did lead me away from reading classic books. And truth most classic books have some sort of movie version so why was my time reading the book. But now when I watch them I wonder what details where left out. I feel a good movie won't be including the details. You want more details, one hopes that you will be inclined to read the book.

So this summer is the summer of classic reading. The classic books that my parents always had a copy of, a easy readers version with pictures and them original version. Me, I would look at the picture book versions from time to time but never read them. Thanks be I have found all these books for the iPod book app for free. So no worry of library rentals or money to pay them. (No money in the pocket book for me)

Pollyanna

Wizard of Oz

Daddy long legs

Hedi

Little princess

Secret garden

Anne of green gables

Alice though the looking glass

Little lord Fauntleroy 

Sherlock Holmes adventures

Many of these books are part of a series of books but I just want to get the first ones read. Might squees Robin Hood and Tom Sawyer. I think I might do little book write ups and art for each in the coming weeks. 

[By the window] My summer movie list

Let is be known this isn't one of those best summer movie list. No, this is a list of movies I always find I crave to watch at the begging of each summer. Here are the top ten of my summer movie cravings.

1. Tiny toons How I spent my Summer Vacation

I grew up with tiny toons and at the start of ever summer I bike to the local rental store and pick up this movie. Always wanted to have an adventure like Babs and Buster. 

2. A chipmunk adventure

World travel movie seemed very summer time thing to do and also it be by tiny toons at the rental store.

3.Parent Trap

 I enjoy the old version and the new one and it takes place at a summer camp to start. So a very summer movie.

4. Tom and Huck

.... Jonathan Taylor Thomas is hot... -blush- ok next

5.Camp Nowhere

Every kids dream camp. And Christopher Lloyd is just awesome and fun.

6. Don't tell mom the babysitter is dead 

This movie was on the no watch for a while but then it was removed and I fully enjoyed it. I mean, sneaking into a cool fashion job, totally awesome. Although my summers where more like the happy burger scene.

7.rookie of the year

Baseball and summer go hand in hand in my mind. Although is really sucks when you live close to a baseball diamond that has no walls and some nights forgets to turn off the lights and you have work at 5am.

8. Sandlot 

I think there are very few my age that can not place this movie on the summer watch list. Cool note, I have been to the place they shot the fair scene.

9. Troop Beverly Hills 

 I rented this movie so many times as a kids my brothers wanted to die. :D but I did stop watching it and only of late picked it up and yes it's a cheesy fun movie.

10. North

  Yes, a totally panned movie but I enjoyed and yes, mostly because of Elijah Wood. But all the star cameos are fun to watch as well.

 

[42 cookie] Is it warm now?

The weather final turned warm where I'm at and I'm so happy. 

This weather totally gets me into summer. wait, it is summer now!? YAH!!

This brings me to summer plans and ideas. Its been on the brain all may but its time now to place that plans into action. How many times do we make summer plans and get nothing on the plan list done? Or am I the only one who never gets my summer plans off the ground. Well, I am a dreamer so I tend to dream the days away and never get the work done. Bad me. But I might as well make a list and see if I can get anything on my list done.

Summer actives usally are these...

Reading books and then writing my own stories.

Going to parks; local, national or amusement.

If not that, enjoying a green yard and drawing.

Summer Movies.

So this week I am going to make it summer plans week. 

Times a wasting.

[Dreamers Paint] Disney inspired

After so many months I final was able to finch some art that I had hope to had done for Christmas. 

I am just missing Kida as the line art didn't come out well I am re-doing her. The outfits are inspired by their Disney counter parts. They where inspired from different concepts so what ever I really wanted to dress the girls. Enjoy. Lager views are slowly being loaded on deviant art. I am considering making them into trading cards and on the back have more detailed sketch of the outfit they are wearing but that depends on the interest of others wants prints. 

[42 cookies] a pause

So I am already a day late on my 'Thursday' blog day but I was out of town last week and this week had family in town. I have several goodies and fun stuff to blog about, recent magazines, pretty new shoes, a fun photo shoot and still need to scan my Disney art. I want to. Give attention to all these things. Also might make a donation t.i.p.  jar because funds are scares for me to counting my fashion blog. No one is made of money and I don't like it myself. More into trades of skills. But let hope I can make something for etsy and that can help keep this blog going. I hope everyone finds some joy in the up coming weekend. I should have a new blog post on Monday.

As the weekenders say,

Later days.

[Frills and Grace] Springs Dreams

Today's Topic's : New make-up and wig, Cute Lolita Articals and summer dress favorite. Also, I got a iPod touch and now on twitter, instgram and snapeee. I will do app review at some other time.

First, new wig and make-up.

My new pony tail and bang clip. I original just got the pony tail hopping but realized my own hair color was to dark so quickly ordered the bangs. I use my own bangs to give it more volume. The bangs clip in great but the pony tail it a bit tricky if you don't know what you are going. It said it was a clip but in my mind, its not. Its has two combs and a draw string. I braid my own hair and place it in a bun then I place the hair combs into the buns. So now I have a lovely bun and bangs. I normal just have very fine hair so this is nice and I like the look it gives. Reminds me of a character I've drawn for years.

Second, the two artical reads of the week that I'm enjoying.
    1. Tokyo's Rebel's Trip to Baby the Stars shine Bright Store. Click Here
         These two girls, so cute. I ADORE Midori Fukasawa dress.
    2. Harajuku Lolita Experience Tokyo Fashion
         Got Tokyofashion app on my ipod and its awesome because its up-to-date. I enjoy street snaps. Its  more of the real fashion.

Three, its summer lolita fashion is in stores. So here a few of my top favorite dresses that if I wasn't unemployed, I'd try to get. 

1. Victorian Maiden - Rococo Bouquet Sailor Ribbon Dress
2. Innocent World - Mary Bell Onepiece (reminds me of Mable from the Pirate Movie)
3. Alice and the Pirates - Love air mail appliquéd junper skirt (sadly sold out)
4. Baby the Stars shine bright - Juicy Baby love Love berries

Day early as tomorrow I'm on the road. Watch my twitter for road trip updates, https://twitter.com/KatieHobbit

[Dreamers Paint] Disney Inspired

Well, I had hoped that I would have had these done and scan but they take time and I want it done right. Also, my scanner just died. ;_; It was old, it didn't surprise me but I don't have a budget for a new one for some time. A friend is going to let me use her's but I want to jungle my time that way. So here is a photo of what I'm working on.

There are more characters. Still have several more to color. Later.

Sorry for no wig post. Realized I didn't have a wig head and I want one so to display the wigs nicely.

[Frills and Grace] Music to Work By

Although this is music, this is heavily influenced by the Frilland Grace style.

 A few weeks back a video popped up on my YouTube subscription that got my interest.

More on the shot: Kawaii Girl - Classic Music Shoot

First, I love these models. Second, classical piano music, I dig that. Wait, Studio Ghibli and Disney melodies? Yes please. Wait, how am I to get the CD? First I found the face book page. KawaiiClassic Fanpage . It was nice to get information but it was looking like to import to the USA the CD, it be around $25. ;_; I did get wind of it being on itunes.Score...wait, Japanese itunes only works with Japanese payments. Then the greatest thing, it went to the US itunes store. SCORE! iTunes -Kawaii Classic Cute 

This is perfect timing as I am working on a set of drawing of Disney girl designs. Also, it was only $10, perfectly priced for classical music. I hope to get the gothic down the line but I don't have the budget right now. It doesn't have words so not distracting and the its just lovely. Note: I find it cute that is recommends the Piano Guy's CD on the itunes store when I bought that. I like them too.

Next week:

Also should be posting some of the art I am working on,

there is a preview on my FaceBook fanpage.

[Frills and Grace] Snow Queen Tea

Note: Frills and Grace refance to the fashion called Lolita. You want more inforamtion on Lolita check out this cool blog, http://fyeahlolita.blogspot.com/ .

Well I don't have anything new -at the moment- but I will talk about the past. In October of last year I bought myself a Baby Shine So Bright, Snow Queen dress. I normally go that brand but they have one or two dresses that I like. Mostly I love the Snow Queen story. A brother of mind read it to me when I was young and I  loved all the stories my brother read to me. He also read the orignal Little Mermaid to me before the movie by Disney came out. Lets say I was a little disapointed in the movie. It was a great movie but it wasn't really the little mermaid. So I am glad disney changed the title of their snow queen. Ok, back to fashion. I ordered right after the time needed to but Tokyo Rebal, http://www.tokyorebel.com/, where able to get the dress I wanted. Then you get the wait.

Come two days before a Steampunk Tea party my dress came. I was supost to be the door mouse but I couldn't say no to wearing it to the party.

 

Yes, I'm on of those luck girls where the dresses are a little big on me. But I do like it and someday soon I'll be able to make better matching accessories.Will say, I LOVE this dress. The snow is silver thread. I can't wait to figure out another time to wear this dress and get some more photos. Lucky was I to find some cute kids shoes that fit and I think match. At least I have something to wear when the Snow Queen movie, Frozen, come out.

Planning Stages

For the past few weeks I have been working and planning my spring fashion wants. With spring I realized I need to toss and replace a lot of my make-up. I'd rather be safe then sorry. I can't afford to be sick, so its best to replace make-up. Do to having a tight budget I can't go to Sephora a lot and get the prime make-up I want. But I have at least a good lip gloss, blush and primer. Eye make-up I get target and stick with maybelline or revlon. Target also has a brand called Pixie, and I really enjoy there eye pencils. Dark and bold like liquid but easy to place on as its a pencil. I really like a light tone of make-up on so don't place much on and stick to "light" weight make-up. I do wear false lashes for photo shoots. I have a nice lenght of lashes but they aren't very thick so helps to wear fake ones.

It amazing all the things that go into fashion photos. I give the Japanese snap models loads of admiration because most of them do everything themselves, choose there cloths, make-up and all around look. How I do things, I do all that and make my own outfits. I'm crazy, yes, that what you get for being an artist.

The Wait

Spring looks to be coming but still a little off.

I'm so excited to say that I'm getting a lot of brand cloths soon. >.< I might hit up the lolita sales more often now as NOTHING in American stores have made me happy. I am really sick of cloths that fall apart after one or two washes. Also I don't want to look light a slob when I final have a day off and don't have to wear a uniform.

I have a large list of things I want to make but just now getting a little motivation but have other things to get to first. I did get a valentine dress made but only a few pictures. I will have more pictures taken later.

But back to cloths. Bought a few items off Innocent World winter sale. On pins and needles as I've never odered strait from a lolita site. I'm most excited as well to have some casual lolita cloths. Something I can place on for after work fun. Pre-ordered a dress by Victorian Maiden.

April- May Relase

Perfect time for an early summer stroll in the gardens.

Park City

Well, in celibration of the Park City Sundance Festival, how about I show a few pictures I had taken last year at Park City by Deb of Parkcityphotographers.com 

 

 

 

 

Fashion Notes: Sweater, Vest, skirt are TokyoFashion from YesStyle

Boots by Roxy

Necklace made by myself

And the hair is a wig peice, that is why I have

a head band on because its really noticable over wise.

 

Opps.

So totally forgotten about this place way to much. XD Not a good blogger, but I hope I can do something this year.

Yah, yah, new years whatevers.

I'm going to this month be working on two things but only one thing I can post about here.

Posting: I'm going to take out what Gothic Lolita Bibles I have and give a short review. Other words, tell what patterns there are. Every time I go to buy back issues of Gothic Lolita bibles, I can't ever find a good source to tell me what patterns are included. I will not scan pages and copy patterns. I think if you want that, you should support the magazine and buy it.

Second  working on a fairy tale that I will be illustration myself of  chores its about 6 princesses and most of there fashion will be Japanese influenced (ether Lolita, Gothic or Gal) style. Wish me luck. I started on this idea last year and just want it done.